Bali’s Best Fine Dining Indonesian Restaurants

Typically, eating out Indonesian style means grabbing small bowls and bites from a food cart or sitting down for a meal in a simple warung. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have an elegant evening out indulging in delicious Indonesian cuisine in a stylish setting. Bali is home to a number of fine dining Indonesian restaurants that make for the perfect spot for decadent dinners, intimate dates or memorable group gatherings.

Merah Putih

Located on Jalan Petitenget in the heart of Kerobokan, Merah Putih is temple of innovative architecture and inspired Indonesian cuisine. Soaring translucent roof columns collect rainwater and UV filters purify and recycle it, solar-filtered glass walls let light in but keep heat out, and tropical greenery abounds. Grab a seat in the cavernous dining room or in one of the gorgeous teak pods on the mezzanine. Diners can choose from the ‘Traditional’ menu for classic regional dishes, or the ‘Baru/Modern’ menu for creative culinary concoctions made with ingredients from around the archipelago. Be sure to pair your meal with a bottle of fine wine from their dedicated wine cellar.

The Warung

If the spectacular clifftop location of The Warung at Alila Villas Uluwatu isn’t enough to wow you, the food certainly will. The menu here consists of classic Indonesian and Balinese dishes like green papaya soup, mixed vegetables with grated coconut, whole grilled fish and succulent roast suckling pig. The emphasis here is on shared plates and communal dining at the large wooden tables, however, you can also snag a seat at one of the cozy two-seater tables for two either inside or outside. If you don’t feel like driving after your meal, book into one of the stunning villas overlooking the sea.

Mozaic

Dining at Mozaic is more of a culinary adventure that a simple exercise in eating. Chef and owner Chris Salans uses local Indonesian ingredients from the market as well as rare items like caviar, foie gras and truffles to create an ever-changing roster of dishes that fuse Indonesian cuisine and fine French cooking styles and techniques. The award-winning 6-course tasting menus are simply divine, especially when paired with expertly chosen wines by the house sommelier. If you’re not hungry enough to do the whole six courses, head to the Mozaic Lounge for tapas and appetizer-sized portions complemented by signature cocktails and international wines.

Bumbu Bali

If it’s authentic Balinese food you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with Bumbu Bali. Owned and operated by cookbook author, Heinz von Holzen and his wife Puji, Bumbu Bali offers traditional Balinese dishes that you would find in a local home or at a Balinese ceremony. Delicious offerings include marinated grilled squid, satay lilit, slow-roasted duck in banana leafs and black rice pudding. For the ultimate experience, grab a group of friends, head to the tables outside under the stars, and order the Rijstaffel—an array of tasty Balinese dishes that everyone can sample and share.